Kieron Pollard to leave MI London head coach role after IPL promotion
Synopsis
Kieron Pollard's IPL promotion to Mumbai Indians head coach is costing The Hundred's MI London their own coach — and with Gareth Batty already gone to Chennai Super Kings, The Oval now has two senior coaching roles to fill simultaneously, complicating Surrey and MI London's planning ahead of the next Hundred season.
Key Takeaways
Kieron Pollard is set to step down as MI London head coach in The Hundred after being promoted to head coach of Mumbai Indians in the IPL .
MI London finished fourth in the 2026 Hundred season , missing the knockouts on inferior NRR after a points tie with Manchester Super Giants and Sunrisers Leeds .
Surrey , which co-owns MI London with Reliance Industries Limited , now has two head coach vacancies at The Oval .
Gareth Batty previously left Surrey to join Chennai Super Kings as assistant coach, compounding the coaching void.
Pollard succeeds Mahela Jayawardene as MI's IPL head coach, having served as batting coach in recent seasons.
Former West Indies cricketer Kieron Pollard is set to step down as head coach of MI London in The Hundred, following his promotion to the head coach role at Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The development leaves The Hundred franchise searching for a new head coach ahead of the next season.
How the 2026 Season Ended for MI London
Pollard oversaw MI London through the 2026 Hundred season, guiding the side to a fourth-place finish. The team narrowly missed qualification for the knockouts after finishing level on points with both Manchester Super Giants and Sunrisers Leeds, only to be edged out on an inferior Net Run Rate (NRR). Despite the near miss, the campaign demonstrated steady progress under Pollard's charge.
What Happens at MI London Now
According to reports from Cricinfo, Pollard is expected to take a period of rest before fully committing to his new IPL duties, meaning The Oval — home ground of both Surrey and MI London — now has two head coach vacancies to fill. Surrey, which co-owns MI London alongside Reliance Industries Limited, is reportedly set to invite applications for the head coach position. Notably, the successful candidate may also be permitted to serve in the dual capacity of head coach for MI London, mirroring the arrangement that existed previously.
Surrey's Own Coaching Upheaval
The situation at The Oval is compounded by the earlier departure of Surrey head coach Gareth Batty, who left his role with the English county club to join Chennai Super Kings as assistant coach. Batty's exit, combined with Pollard's impending departure, has created a significant leadership vacuum at the ground that hosts both a leading County Championship side and a Hundred franchise.
Pollard's New Role at Mumbai Indians
Pollard was confirmed as Mumbai Indians' head coach in the IPL late last month, succeeding Mahela Jayawardene in the position. He had previously served the franchise as batting coach. In a statement upon his appointment, Pollard said: 'It is an honour to take on the role of Head Coach of Mumbai Indians. MI has been a huge part of my life and career, and the bond I share with this team, the players and the Paltan means a great deal to me. Having experienced this journey as a player and then as a coach, I understand what Mumbai Indians stands for and the responsibility that comes with representing the Blue and Gold. I am grateful to Mrs Nita Ambani, Akash Ambani and the entire MI family for their trust in me. I look forward to working closely with the players and support staff, building on the team's legacy, helping our talent grow and giving the Paltan many more reasons to celebrate.'
The transition marks a significant moment in Pollard's coaching journey — from franchise icon to the most senior technical role at one of cricket's most decorated T20 sides. How quickly MI London can find a credible replacement will shape its fortunes ahead of the next Hundred campaign.
Point of View
And the shared-coach arrangement that worked previously has left both organisations exposed. The IPL's gravitational pull on global coaching talent — drawing figures like Batty to CSK and now absorbing Pollard — is reshaping franchise cricket pipelines in ways The Hundred's administrators have yet to systematically address.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kieron Pollard leaving MI London as head coach?
Kieron Pollard is leaving MI London because he has been promoted to head coach of Mumbai Indians in the IPL, succeeding Mahela Jayawardene. The dual commitment is not feasible, so Pollard will step down from his Hundred role after taking time off.
How did MI London perform in the 2026 Hundred season under Pollard?
MI London finished fourth in the 2026 Hundred season. They missed out on the knockouts after finishing level on points with Manchester Super Giants and Sunrisers Leeds, with an inferior Net Run Rate being the deciding factor.
Who co-owns MI London and what happens next?
MI London is co-owned by Surrey and Reliance Industries Limited, with The Oval serving as the home ground. Surrey is expected to invite applications for the head coach role, and the successful candidate may also be permitted to coach MI London.
Why does The Oval now have two head coach vacancies?
Surrey head coach Gareth Batty earlier left to join Chennai Super Kings as assistant coach, and Kieron Pollard is now departing as MI London head coach. This leaves both the county and Hundred franchise coaching positions open simultaneously.
Who did Kieron Pollard replace as Mumbai Indians head coach in the IPL?
Pollard replaced Mahela Jayawardene as Mumbai Indians' head coach in the IPL. He had previously served the franchise as batting coach before earning his promotion late last month.
